Talking-machine recorder and reproducer.



;P. B. DELANY, TALKING MACHINE RECORDER IIND REPRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED IULYI9, I9I3.

LIUfi, Patentedluly 11, 1916'.

7 PATRICK B. DELANY, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

TALKING-MACHINE RECORDER AND REPRODUCER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July ii, ioio.

Application filed July '19, 1913. Serial Norman.

1 b all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PATRICK B. DELANY, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Grange, county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Talking-Machine Recorders and Reproducers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention. is designed to eliminate scratching or scraping noise from the record and to so improve the quality of recordations and reproductions. It is well known that even the smoothest surface revolving under the needle will produce quite a loud or observable noise emitted by the horn or ampiiier. It has been found that this is largely due to the metallic vibrating arm connecting the record and the diaphragm of the sound box. Vibrating arms of Wood, bone or any hard substance will produce this effect to a. modified degree. It has been sought to remedy such defect by rubber and other vibration deadening materials interposed at the point of contact between the vibrating arm and the diaphragm, but on account of the elasticity of such materials, or for other reasons, the tone of reproduction has been greatly lowered and modified and, owing to the instability ofsuch materials, particularly under pressure, the instruments soon become out of adjustment or order. I have devised a plan whereby metallic connection betweehethe record and diaphragm is entirely severed without appreciable loss of force but with marked suppression of the objectionable scraping sound, the result being a pure and faithful reproduction.

The object of this invention is attained by dividing the vibrating arm, preferably between the diaphragm and the bend in the upper part of the arm, and seating or embedding the adjacent ends in a mass of material of suitable density and stability to carry the major or sound producing vibrations, and yet of such character as to suppress or eliminate objectionable extraneous, incidental andminor vibrations that produce the extraneous or scraping sounds in the tones produced by the diaphragm. The material of such mass may be a single material or a compound material composed, for instance, of rubber, asphaltum, tar, waxes of various kinds, etc, or compounds of any two or more of such simple materials.

The invention further comprises features hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section; and Fig. 2 alike view showing a modification.

1 indicates the sound box, 2 the diaphragm, 3 the vibrating arm, 4 the needle holder, and 4 the needle. lateral bar or rod 5 with a cross head thereon (Fig. 1) seated, embedded or surrounded by a mass 8 of material, such generally as hereinbet'ore described that absorbs, eliminates or suppresses secondary or minor objectionable vibrations, and is contained in a cup or container 7 attached to or integral with an extension from the sound box. Such a manner of mounting the vibrating arm is disclosed in my applicationSerial No. 700,394, filed May 29, 1912. The upper portion of the vibrating arm is divided transversely. The end portion 9 is attached to the diaphragm in any ordinary or suitable way and the adj acent ends of the arm are mechanically united by means of a mass of compound 11 that fills a container 10 carried by the end portion 9 of the arm, and in which the adjacent portion of the vibrating arm is embedded. Interruption of the continuity of the arm by a body of material acting to suppress or eliminate minor undesirable vibrations therein afi'ords marked improvement in character or quality and purity of tone.

The material, mass or compound used in the practice of this invention is'by preference one that becomes soft and even viscous or semi-liquid under the influence of a suitable degree of heat, and which at ordinary temperaturesroom temperaturesbecomes and remains hard meaning by that suflicicntly rigid or stable to follow the primary vibrations of the arm. This arrangement permits of firm attachment of the last section of the arm to the diaphragm and, what is of great importance, while said mas'sis yet in a plastic state in the process of cooling or setting the part attached to the diaphragm and the part attached to the support. are allowed to assume positions in the connecting masses controlled by the normal position of the diaphragm in its mounting and of the support in its anchorage so that there is no War ed or biased strain, a condition practice ly unavoidable inprior constructions. If, when the difi'erent parts are connected, or upon- The arm has a completion of the difi'erent mountings, the

sound box as a whole be placed for a short time in a temperature suflicient to soften the mass in Which the diaphragm is attached to its gaskets and the recessed portion of the case in which they are held; the mass in the container in which the arm support is anchored, and the mass in the container comprising the coupling'of the parts of thearm, all the parts will yield to a position of unbiased coordination and establish a true and highly sensitive vibrating system. This equalization of strain between the difi'erent mountings of the diaphragm, its vibrating arm and severed parts under actlon of heat forms an important feature of my inven' 'tion. i

Fig. 2' shows the diaphragm holding gaskets 13, 13 and the compound.16,-in which they, as well as the diaphragm,-are partially embedded, Here the container marked 15 is located on or attached to the periphery of the sound box and 'is'filled pound having the characteristics above 'described. The. supporting rod for the vi-. brating arm is here marked 5 and extends entirely through the compound and is secured to the bottom wall of the container,

which is in this particular construction a continuation of the wall of the sound box. A- further feature shown'in Fig. 2 is that the rod 5 extending 'from the container 15 is coated with the compound which extends also. over and around the juncture of the rod with the body of the vibrating arm 3. This latter arrangement is one shown by experience to aid in the production of pure tones.

'I he material or compound, employed is one'that is non-vibratory in that it does not respond to or transmit through itself (at least to objectionable extent) vibrations set up in the arm.

In my copending application for Patent No. 86.7,709, filed 0a. 21, 1914, I have claimed a method herein generally described of connecting certain parts of the reproducing mechanism of a talking machine and in my application for Patent No. 86 ,710, filed Oct. 21, 1914, I have made claims to a construction involving a support for the stylus arm which is rigidly attached to said arm and is connected to the head in which the diaphragm is mounted, a fixed plastic with a commass of material inert to vibrations being arranged to embrace the sides of thesupport. I have also made claims in said application No. 867,710, to a construction in which means is provided which acts upon the juncture of the stylus arm and its support to deaden or absorb the vibrations of said stylus arm, and also to a construction in which the actuating member of the diaphragm is provided with a support comprising a. flexible metallic part and a yielding meltable mass in which said metallic part is embedded.

I claim:

1. In a talking machine sound box, a vibrating arm severed intermediate the part contacting with the record and the diaphragm, said severed parts being joined by a m'eltable non-vibratory material.

2. In a talking machine sound box, a vibrating arm in two parts, one part attached to the diaphragm the other part mounted on a support and a non-vibratory connection between the two parts composed of a meltable mass.

3. In a talking machine sound bpxn vibrating arm, a supportfor said arm and a melt-able mass surrounding said support, and the juncture of said support with said a-IIll.

4. In a talking machine sound box provided with a diaphragm, a support, a vibrating arm in two parts, one part attached to the diaphragm and the other part attached to said support, a ineltable non-vibratory connection between the two parts, and a meltablenon-vibratory mounting for the support.

5. The combination of a diaphragm, its supporting frame, a vibrating needle-supporting arm, means for supporting said vibrating arm, a container attached to the diaphragm and into which one end of said vibrating arm-extends,,and a meltable mass of non-vibratory material in 'the container surrounding the end of the vibrating arm therein.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

PATRICK B. DELANY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

